Essex Co. drug bust nets arrests

November 15, 2011

A drug sweep in Essex County has resulted in multiple arrests, including three men from the Tri-Lakes.

Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague announced Monday the arrests of John Kane Jr., 48, of Saranac Lake; George Setzer, 52, of Lake Placid; and Rory Hill, 46, of Lake Placid.

The Essex County Drug Task Force - which includes the Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Ticonderoga police departments, the Essex County Sheriff's Office, the DA's office and New York State Police - made a county-wide drug sweep last week after an investigation that lasted numerous months, according to Lake Placid Police Chief Bill Moore.

"The investigation culminated in the arrest of those local individuals, but also some in other parts of Essex County," Moore told the Enterprise.

Moore said the public can expect more arrests in the future.

The three local men were charged as follows:

Kane was charged with fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was arraigned in Essex County Court on Thursday and reappeared with a defense lawyer on Monday; bail was set at $1,000.

Setzer was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of marijuana and two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana. He was arraigned in county court on Thursday and reappeared with defense counsel on Monday; bail was set at $1,000.

Hill was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana. He was arraigned in county court on Thursday and bail was set at $5,000.

All three face between three to 11 years in prison and two to four years of post-release supervision if convicted. Each was released from Essex County Jail on Monday, according to an official from the jail.